Bootcut describes pants that fit closely from the waist through the thighs, then gradually widen from the knee down to create a slight flare at the ankle. This extra room at the bottom was originally designed to fit over boots, which is how the style got its name.

In the 1960s and 1970s, cowboys and ranchers wore bootcut jeans so they could pull their pants over their cowboy boots without bunching up the fabric. The style became popular beyond ranches because it created a balanced silhouette and worked well with many types of footwear.

Bootcut pants differ from straight-leg pants, which stay the same width all the way down, and flare or bell-bottom pants, which widen much more dramatically at the ankle. Think of bootcut as a subtle, practical flare rather than a bold fashion statement.

Today, you'll see bootcut jeans, dress pants, and yoga pants. They remain popular because they work with boots, sneakers, and dress shoes alike. The extra room at the ankle helps prevent that awkward bunching that can happen when you try to wear straight-leg pants over bulky footwear.